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07.18.14

FedEx Charged for Illegal Pharmacies

Mike Blake/Reuters

Shipping giant FedEx was charged Thursday by the federal government for knowingly assisting illegal pharmacies with delivering painkillers and other drugs to consumers who lacked prescriptions. The government alleges that FedEx conspired for 10 years with two separate illegal online pharmacies ending in 2010. FedEx said in a statement, "We will plead not guilty. We will defend against this attack on the integrity and good name of FedEx and its employees." UPS, FedEx's big rival, paid $40 million last year to settle allegations of a similar nature. Google paid $500 million to settle accusations from the Justice Department that it was profiting off ads for illegal online pharmacies, which can often sell dangerous counterfeits.